Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Morthemer

Around castle and church of Morthemer are horse chestnuts, budding in spring. Horse chestnuts, now found everywhere, were introduced to western Europe within the 16th century from Turkey.

Morthemer, once an independent settlement, is since 1969 part of larger Valdivienne. Towering above the village are the castle and the church. The erection of these (interconnected) buildings started within the 11th century. To lay the foundation of the church must have been extremly difficult, as the structure is built sidewards on a kind of steep cliff. The crypt is equipped with large windows, where the light flows in. The crypt and the choir above are the oldest parts of the structure, dating to the 11th century. Probably within the 13th century the walls of the crypt got decorated with frescoes. Most of them are "crumbled" off the walls, but some can still be seen. Here is a deatil of the "Christ Pantocrator".

Morthemer, once an independent settlement, is since 1969 part of larger Valdivienne. Towering above the village are the castle and the church. The erection of these (interconnected) buildings started within the 11th century. To lay the foundation of the church must have been extremly difficult, as the structure is built sidewards on a kind of steep cliff. The crypt is equipped with large windows, where the light flows in. The crypt and the choir above are the oldest parts of the structure, dating to the 11th century. Probably within the 13th century the walls of the crypt got decorated with frescoes. Most of them are "crumbled" off the walls, but some can still be seen. A "Christ Pantocrator" in a kind of "conched" mandorla. Around him are the symbols of the evangelists.

Morthemer, once an independent settlement, is since 1969 part of larger Valdivienne. Towering above the village are the castle and the church. The erection of these (interconnected) buildings started within the 11th century. To lay the foundation of the church must have been extremly difficult, as the structure is built sidewards on a kind of steep cliff. The crypt is equipped with large windows, where the light flows in. The crypt and the choir above are the oldest parts of the structure, dating to the 11th century. Probably within the 13th century the walls of the crypt got decorated with frescoes. Most of them are "crumbled" off the walls, but some can still be seen. Here is Virgin Mary and young Jesus, he holds a bible and blesses the onlooker.

Morthemer, once an independent settlement, is since 1969 part of larger Valdivienne. Towering above the village are the castle and the church. The erection of these (interconnected) buildings started within the 11th century. To lay the foundation of the church must have been extremly difficult, as the structure is built sidewards on a kind of steep cliff. The crypt is equipped with large windows, where the light flows in. This crypt and the choir above are the oldest parts of the structure, dating to the 11th century.

Morthemer, once an independent settlement, is since 1969 part of larger Valdivienne. Towering above the village are the castle and the church. The erection of these (interconnected) buildings started within the 11th century. To lay the foundation of the church must have been extremly difficult, as the structure is built sidewards on a kind of steep cliff. The crypt is equipped with large windows, where the light flows in. This crypt and the choir above are the oldest parts of the structure, dating to the 11th century. Seen here is the flight of stairs, leading down from the nave.

Morthemer, once an independent settlement, is since 1969 part of larger Valdivienne. Towering above the village are the castle and the church. The erection of these (interconnected) buildings started within the 11th century. To lay the foundation of the church must have been extremly difficult, as the structure is built sidewards on a kind of steep cliff. Seen here is a flight of stairs leading down to the nave on the left side, while on the right stairs lead down to the door (from where another flight of stairs starts outside). The nave, seen here was remodeled and renovated a couple of times, especially during the time of the flamboyant Gothic style. The apse in the background is probably the oldest part - and the crypt under the choir.

Morthemer, once an independent settlement, is since 1969 part of larger Valdivienne. Seen here on the other side of the valley are castle and church of Morthemer. The castle has a really massive donjon. The erection of both structures started within the 11th century. Though directly connected to the castle, the church was a collegiate church, but the collegiate probably depended from the Seigneurs de Morthemer.